WHAT’S NEW: ROOST

WHAT'S NEW roost A NEW CLASS OF coffee

DDuring his freshman year, Zachary Fors ‘21 enrolled in Mr. Logan Beer’s “Intro to Sports Marketing Class” and subsequently the “Intro to Business” class. His challenge was to identify a need at MPCS and create a solution. From this, Roost Coffee Co. was born – so named for the Eagle mascot. (A “roost” is where birds congregate together, where community occurs.) With the help of Coach Beer, Zachary crafted a business plan and approached Head of High School and Associate Head of School

Mrs. Tawanna Rusk to request a trial investment. e Roost trial was so successful that

Zachary soon sought additional funding to expand. “I was nervous [to approach Mrs.

Rusk for the loan], but I believed in our concept, and I had faith,” Zachary shares.

“NO OTHER SCHOOL WOULD’VE TAKEN

A CHANCE ON A STUDENT.”

BY JENNIFER NEW, CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Zachary and classmate Antonio Hundley ‘21 took the reins, arriving at school by 6:50 a.m. daily to brew the coffee. e duo grew in their business acumen, learning which SKUs were most profitable, deleting those with small margins. ey applied concepts learned in business class, eventually growing to cater meetings and events on campus.

When COVID hit, the students innovated the business model. ey developed an ordering website and are now a fully-digital operation. e team also explored new partnerships, including a new local supplier. With vast knowledge of the science, history, and sourcing of coffee, Mr. Dale Hughes, father of two MPCS alumni, owns Apotheos roastery in Kennesaw. His son, Luke Hughes ‘17 is the operator. Once again, Zachary updated the Roost business plan and made a pitch to the father-son duo. ey agreed to a partnership that allows Roost to expand its offerings to include baked goods, additional equipment, and popular items like cold-brewed coffee. ese innovations will be on full display in the forthcoming Roost storefront in the Murray Innovation Center, providing a central community meeting place in the new high school commons. Having paid back the loan to the high school administration, the team is now planning ahead. In addition to reinvesting in the business, they pledge to donate 10-percent of profits to a charity, with the remainder earmarked for a student-led trip.

Sophomore Syler Owen and Senior Stephen Emoghene at Apotheos coffee house.

During his senior year, Zachary served as the Roost manager, overseeing a staff of 8-10 students who joined the Roost after taking the “Business Practicum” course. He says, “ ose involved with Roost are

EXCITED FOR WHAT THEY’RE OFFERING AND THAT THEY TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR

WORK. In middle school, I had wanted to start a business. With Roost, I finally got to.” W

Zachary Fors presenting Mr. Alois Johnson and Mr. Dale Hughes of Kennesaw Teen Center with a donation from Roost Coffee Co.